TxDOT is currently in the middle of a multi-year effort to widen U.S. 290 from the 610 Loop to the Waller County line.

But one of the contractors, The Woodlands-based Tradeco Infraestructura, was held in default. TxDOT says it happened after Tradeco delayed work on a three-mile segment between West Little York and Pinemont. The cost of that segment is about $153 million.

TxDOT’s Karen Othon expects it’ll be another three months before they can restart that work.

“Right now TxDOT is working with the surety company, and the surety company will be bringing another contractor on board to resume work on the U.S. 290 project,” Othon explains.

And Othon says the new contractor will be put on an expedited schedule.

“There is nothing happening in that section right now, so it will be a little bit of a challenge in the beginning. But we have confidence we’re going to be able to pick right up and continue on with the work,” Othon says.

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Gail Delaughter

Transportation Reporter

From early-morning interviews with commuters to walks through muddy construction sites, Gail covers all aspects of getting around Houston. That includes walking, driving, cycling, taking the bus, and occasionally flying. Before she became transportation reporter in 2011, Gail hosted weekend programs for Houston Public Media. She's also covered courts in...